1
as in devilment
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm
the children claimed that setting off a firecracker was harmless mischief, but they got a lecture anyway
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2
as in playfulness
a natural disposition for playful behavior
your mother was full of mischief as a child, believe it or not
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3
as in monkey
an appealingly mischievous person
he's a little mischief who means no harm
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mischief
Ivan Wiedemann was charged with burglary of a dwelling, theft of property between $750 and $50,000, and criminal mischief damage between $750 and $50,000, according to court records.
—
Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
Rich and influential adults enjoyed Lear’s company, but Lear himself preferred making mischief for children, telling absurd stories and drawing impossible creatures.
—Caroline Carlson
june 30, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025
The movie also includes tantalizing on-track visuals and a plot line that taps into the strategic mischief and chess moves that make the sport exciting.
—Sahil Kapur, NBC news, 17 June 2025
Prior to that, Price was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct following an argument in which Price reportedly locked Coleman out of their home and began trashing his belongings.
—Ryan Coleman Published, EW.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
Rich and influential adults enjoyed Lear’s company, but Lear himself preferred making mischief for children, telling absurd stories and drawing impossible creatures.
—Caroline Carlson
june 30, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025
The movie also includes tantalizing on-track visuals and a plot line that taps into the strategic mischief and chess moves that make the sport exciting.
—Sahil Kapur, NBC news, 17 June 2025
Prior to that, Price was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct following an argument in which Price reportedly locked Coleman out of their home and began trashing his belongings.
—Ryan Coleman Published, EW.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischief
Noun
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Mustard and vinegar provide the devilment for a flavorful bite, particularly when topped with a scattering of scallions and paprika.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
5 Feb. 2025
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But even if truffles are beyond your pay grade, there is plenty of enjoyment to be had in the sheer devilment portrayed in this informative and appetizing book.—
Eugenia Bone,
WSJ,
10 July 2019
Noun
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Other surprises found inside this space that exists outside our reality are monkeys trained to post hate on Superman online like real-life trolls, and one creepy guy nicknamed Mister Handsome.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
17 July 2025
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Infant subjects—aside from those excluded for fussiness, crying, or non-completion—showed no preference for a stuffed cheetah, elephant, lion, or monkey toy purportedly proffered by a human woman over one purportedly proffered by a robot.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
16 July 2025
Noun
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In his mug shot, Anton bears little resemblance to the handsome devil from the earlier composite image.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
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To play devil’s advocate to myself, though, this time around the contestants have air conditioning, which might have been a deal-breaker in order to get any contestants from The Golden Bachelor/ette there.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Donald Trump and Elon Musk and their universe of sycophants who worship wickedness can’t be changed by continues eye contact.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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May God bless the entire Trump administration with swift repentance from this wickedness.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As shown in his previous films, Eggers’ sensibility has roots not in contemporary horror but in stories from centuries past that become vivid and febrile, alive with an insidious devilry that inches under your skin.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
2 Dec. 2024
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That’s enough devilry to explain at least much of Haiti’s challenges without resorting to tales of satanic influence.—
Matthew Brown,
Washington Post,
24 Mar. 2024
Noun
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That’s flimflam, that’s roguery.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2022
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America, this is a level of pure double-dealing, roguery, and downright villainy ne’er witnessed on this television program.—
Ali Barthwell,
Vulture,
7 Sep. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischief. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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